How can Washington state create a skilled and adaptable workforce?

Lexion acquisition to Docusign latest success story from AI2 | NVIDIA invests in Carbon Robotics ADVERTISEMENT [GeekWire]( SPONSOR MESSAGE: Join the Nordic Innovation Summit, May 13-14: [Topics include AI, clean energy, battery technology, sustainable cities, and more! Save $50 using GW50.]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES How can Washington state create a skilled and adaptable workforce? The key is education, says Laura Ruderman (above), CEO of the Technology Alliance, and the good news is that the state Legislature and higher-ed institutions have been working on three specific solutions. [Read more in this adaptation of Ruderman’s presentation]( from the Tech Alliance annual luncheon. Docusign’s agreement to acquire Seattle-based AI startup Lexion for $165 million is the latest success story to emerge from the Allen Institute for AI and the now-independent AI2 Incubator, with a financial boost from Madrona and others. It’s also a sign of the significance of AI in the market for tech M&A and dealmaking. [Read more](. A new startup from the co-founders of sales software giant Outreach uses AI to automate initial customer interactions and provide personalized product demos for B2B companies. FullContext unveiled its “buyer copilot” tool, designed to boost efficiency for software sales teams. [Read more.]( Months after Starfish Space had to abandon plans to test its satellite docking system in orbit, the Tukwila, Wash.-based startup pulled off one last rendezvous. The company also scored a $37.5 million contract from the U.S. Space Force for further work on its technology. (Above: An artist's rendering of Starfish's Otter Pup satellite.) [Read more.]( - Boeing postponed the first crewed flight of its Starliner space taxi on Monday, the latest in a years-long string of delays. [Read more.]( NVIDIA is investing in Carbon Robotics, a Seattle ag-tech startup whose AI-powered “LaserWeeder” is used by farmers to detect and zap unwanted plants. [Read more.]( Tech Moves: NanoString CEO and CFO depart; Temporal founders swap roles; Gradial adds exec; [and more personnel changes in PNW tech.]( Hot Links: - Microsoft is shutting down three Bethesda Softworks studios. ([Windows Central]( - A judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by University of Washington computer science professor Stuart Reges, who protested land acknowledgment statements. ([The Seattle Times]( - Microsoft and OpenAI launched a $2 million fund to boost AI education among voters and vulnerable communities. ([Microsoft]( - Seattle VC firm Graham & Walker announced 16 companies participating in its latest Catalyst program. ([LinkedIn]( - Shipium CEO Jason Murray is intrigued by AI use cases for demand planning, based on his observations at a Gartner supply chain conference. ([LinkedIn]( Thanks for subscribing to the GeekWire newsletter, and have a great day. — GeekWire editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com; GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop, todd@geekwire.com; and GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com. SPONSOR MESSAGE [IT Degrees—Certs Included]( Many IT jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree, plus multiple certifications. The cost of certification exams can be overwhelming if you’re paying for them out of pocket. At WGU, we include relevant industry-recognized certifications in our IT degree programs. Earn an IT degree that prepares you for your career with certifications from the likes of AWS, CompTIA, Cisco, and more included in the cost of your program. Learn More at [WGU.edu/IT](. LATEST HEADLINES [Tech Moves: NanoString CEO and CFO depart; Temporal founders swap roles; Gradial adds exec]( [Outreach founders reveal new ‘buyer copilot’ AI startup that automates customer demos]( [Commentary: What it will take for Washington state to create a skilled and adaptable workforce]( [Starfish tests satellite rendezvous system — and wins a $37.5M Space Force contract]( [NVIDIA invests in AI-powered weed zapping ag-tech startup Carbon Robotics]( [First crewed flight of Boeing’s Starliner space taxi postponed due to valve issue]( [Docusign to acquire Lexion for $165M in exit for Seattle-based AI contract management company]( GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [AdaptX: Vice President of Engineering]( - [BRINC: Territory Account Executive, PacNW]( - [BRINC: Senior/Principal Backend & Platform Software Engineer]( - [INRIX: Finance Pricing Manager]( - [INRIX: Account Executive, Public Sector]( - [GeekWork: ML Engineer]( - [BRINC: Principal / Senior Software Test Engineer]( - [GeekWork: Head of Engineering]( [FIND MORE JOBS ON GEEKWORK]( [HIRING? BUY A FEATURED LISTING TO APPEAR HERE]( [About GeekWire]( [Contact Us]( [Advertise]( Copyright © 2024 GeekWire LLC, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted to receive emails from GeekWire LLC.  Our mailing address is: GeekWire LLC 123 NW 36th St, Suite 203 Seattle, WA 98107  [change email frequency or address]( | [unsubscribe](